Post Match Quote Sheet: U.S. 3, Sweden 1

WNTSep 21, 2003

U.S. Head Coach April Heinrichs

On the Sweden game…“It was really a tale of two stories in the first half and the second half. In the second half, Sweden really poured it on and had a couple chances, but we were able to weather the storm. A couple of the chances were difficult to handle, but our players stepped up.”

On Joy Fawcett…“Joy Fawcett was wonderful. She is just our iron woman in the back and makes wonderful decisions.”

On the play of Kristine Lilly…“There’s nothing like a goal that rips that back of the net like that. I was just so thrilled for Kristine. She played magnificently in a three-woman midfield all game and worked both sides of the ball.”

On the team handling pressure…“I believe in these women so powerfully. This is their arena. There is no better group of women under these conditions, at home in front of their own fans. There is no better group of women to rise to the occasion.”

On Abby Wambach…“I was really pleased with Abby Wambach’s effort, intensity, and the way she battled and created. She’s clever with the ball at her feet. She’s strong and she’s good in the air. She had a couple of nice chances and played some good balls in from the flanks.”

On Mia Hamm…“What a wonderful inspiration she is to this team. She single-handedly put pressure on Sweden’s backline and prevented their long ball service. Mia inspired this group to put pressure on the ball, stripped their defenders a couple of times and almost got a goal. She got the assist on the final goal and she sprinted down the sidelines celebrating the goal. She celebrates everybody’s goal and that’s what makes her such a team player.”

On having Wambach and Cindy Parlow up front…“Even though traditionally the Scandinavian countries are good in the air, with Abby and Cindy Parlow on our front line I think we were able to battle with them and have it be one of our strengths as well.”

Forward Mia Hamm, who assisted on all three goals.

On the U.S. fan support…“I think we had a lot of support and the atmosphere was tremendous. It was just great for soccer in general. That’s what it’s all about. This isn’t the USA’s World Cup. This is the Women’s World Cup and it’s a celebration of every single soccer player across the world.”

On her corner kicks which set up two goals…“You work on them in practice and I’ve done them a lot for the national team. I hit some well, but those guys finished them. That makes the difference. You can hit the spots, but if no one is up there to finish them you won’t get the results.”

On how she felt after the game…“The game was great. For a soccer player this is the pinnacle of everything you’ve ever worked for. You think of everyone who has helped you along the way in a positive way. You come out here and you play for them, you play for yourself and you play for all of those players in the locker room.”

On her emotions during the game...“You still get nervous, you still get excited. What’s wonderful is that is doesn’t get old and the emotions don’t fade away. You still play because you love it.”

Midfielder Shannon Boxx, who became the first player to score in her first three games for the U.S. National Team.

On what her role was…“Sweden is a fast, physical team. The coaches to me to go out and attack and win head balls. That’s what I tried to do and that's where my focus was.”

On what she’d be doing if she didn’t make the team…“I had bought tickets for my family. I was planning on watching the games with my fiancé and my friends from home. I think we sold the tickets because they all planned on watching this game instead.”

On how the other players encouraged her…“The other players have always believed in me and were great when I was coming in for camps. Brandi would come up to me and say, ‘You deserve to be here.' Mia came up and told me I’d be fine and to just keep playing the way I have been. Even during the game (against Sweden), (Kristine) Lilly came over and reminded me to settle down and get back to the simple things.”

On when she found out she was starting…“I found out yesterday. I was ready for it and told April I was up for it and confident. We have 20 amazing players on this team and you never know when you are going to be in there.”

Defender Cat Reddick, the only non-professional on the team, who entered the game for Brandi Chastain at halftime

On coming in for the second half…“It was kind of nerve-racking. I had a lot of my Chapel Hill friends in the stands, but I figured this is what I am here for. So, I was real excited too. I had so many different emotions, I just had to calm myself down.”

On how she felt on the field…“The feeling was amazing. I had never played in front of 35,000 fans before. By the time we scored the third goal, I could feel the vibes go through me.”

Forward Abby Wambach, who set up the first U.S. goal.

On her confidence after the game…“My confidence is higher now. I know I can play with anyone in the world. I know that this team can play with anyone in the world.”

Goalkeeper Briana Scurry, who has started in the third Women's World Cup after being the back-up goalkeeper in the 2000 Olympics.

On her emotions being back with the team…“It was a great day for me. I was anxious on the way over on the bus, knowing that I was going to be starting. This is something I worked for during the past two years and it was finally here. I was choked up on the bus and fighting back tears of joy. I was real excited about the game, and wanted to go out there, play well and get the win.”